Defense & National Security
Good afternoon everyone. We are here today to consider the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee's portion of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
Since I first joined this panel in 2007, the Seapower Subcommittee has had a well-earned reputation for productive bipartisanship. I am pleased to report today that our subcommittee continues that tradition, with the help of Ranking Member Rob Wittman and all the members of our panel, particularly the impressive class of new members that have brought new energy and life experience to the committee's work.
The Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee meets this afternoon to hear testimony on the Department of the Navy's Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget request. Before us today to discuss that request are Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James Geurts, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems Vice Admiral Bill Merz, and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration Lt. Gen. David Berger.
This morning, the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee meets to review the Air Force projection forces aspects of our subcommittee's jurisdiction and the department's Fiscal Year 2020 budget submission.
In a potential boon for Connecticut's defense industry, the Pentagon upped its spending request Monday from two Virginia-class submarines to three per year starting in 2020, responding to pressure from Congress and the Navy.
The submarine funding is part of a $750 billion annual defense budget that is expected to be unveiled next week by President Donald Trump and submitted to Congress.